Mumbai, Oct 17: In keeping with a Mumbai High Court directive, Bhrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation would launch its demolition drive against illegal shrines in the metropolis from today and has asked for police security.
"We have asked for police security while conducting the demolition since the issue is a very sensitive one", BMC sources said here.
"Though there is no specific time period when the drive will be completed, we hope to complete it soon depending upon the availability of the police force", the sources said.
However, structures built before 1964 would not be demolished.
Meanwhile, ward officers have been talking to owners of the shrines to dismantle the structure themselves.



Following a public interest litigation filed by Janhit Manch and its president Bhagwanji Raiyani, who challenged the "mushrooming of illegal shrines", the Mumbai High Court had directed BMC on September 24 to take action in accordance with the law and file an action taken report within two months.



The PIL was deferred to November 12 to enable BMC to file the action taken report.



On August 25, the court imposed costs of Rs 1000 on the Maharashtra government for repeatedly failing to file an affidavit on its policy of demolition of illegal shrines.



The PIL said illegal shrines had come up all over the city ostensibly to protect unauthorised slums. "In all such localities where illegal huts had been constructed, shrines were also built as a protective measure against demolition", the PIL said.


Bureau Report